My jaw hurts all the time. Could I have TMJ?

Chronic jaw pain is one of the key symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, often abbreviated as TMJ or TMD. Other symptoms of this uncomfortable and serious condition include:

Clicking, popping, or grating in the joint

A tendency for your jaw to get stuck in one position

A sensation of fatigue in your face

Swelling near the joint

Headaches

Shoulder, neck, and facial pain

Jaw pain is often one of the most common first symptoms of TMD. It may start by being intermittent and then worsen over time. Jaw pain, especially when you wake up in the morning, is a good indicator that you are grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding can also be a symptom of TMD and is easily treated with appliance therapy.

If your jaw pain lasts for more than a couple of days, gets worse, or returns after it went away, that is a good indication that you should have your jaw joints evaluated. The appointment is relatively easy, non-invasive, and can provide you with the answers you are looking for.

If you are experiencing chronic jaw pain or any of these other symptoms, please call today for an appointment to get your condition diagnosed and treated.